Questions tagged [guitar]

For questions about guitar playing in general. For questions specifically about electric guitars, see "electric-guitar". For questions specifically about acoustic guitars with or without pickup systems, see "acoustic-guitar".

Filter by
Sorted by
Tagged with
7 votes
5 answers
3k views

Guitar Amplifier (Head versus Combo versus None)

I'm in the process of getting my first electric guitar and am trying to figure out amplifiers. I currently have a stereo amplifier and pre amplifier and a pair floor standing speakers. My living space ...
Stussa's user avatar
  • 173
7 votes
4 answers
2k views

Why do notes played on bass strings on the highest frets sound bad?

I notice that on bass guitars or low tuned guitars, the notes played on the lowest strings very high on the fretboard sound bad. This can be heard, e.g., in this video at 1:01–1:10: It is well known ...
user1079505's user avatar
  • 16.6k
7 votes
3 answers
2k views

Is there a method to know which string and fret to play on guitar when reading sheet music without tabs?

Is there a way to find out which fret position would be optimal? Or is it a matter of personal choice? (When no additional info is given in the sheet music)
AvidListener's user avatar
7 votes
8 answers
1k views

D-flat diminished vs. A7

I was figuring out how to play the chords of The Phantom of the Opera with my guitar. If the I-chord is eg. D minor, then when the song goes "the phantom of the opera is there", at that &...
Warp's user avatar
  • 171
7 votes
5 answers
2k views

Would it be a good idea to memorize relative interval positions on guitar?

It seems like if I memorized the relative intervals between the notes on each string, it would help a lot with quickly making chords and such. It seems a lot easier than trying to memorize individual ...
コナーゲティ's user avatar
7 votes
4 answers
12k views

In a guitar tab, how do you play two distanced notes at once?

If I have a guitar tab like this E---2--2--------------- B--2------------------- G--2-2----------------- D------3--------------- A---------------------- E----------------------...
bob's user avatar
  • 71
7 votes
4 answers
6k views

How do (bass) guitar players stop a note?

I don't play (bass) guitar, nor do I have a desire to. However, this question has been bugging me for quite some time now, as I have yet found the answer myself by viewing guitarists playing, mostly ...
Decent Dabbler's user avatar
7 votes
7 answers
7k views

What's the right way to hold a pick?

It there any difference between holding a pick in a fist like this and with your fingers sticking out like this: I've found that most online guitar lessons teach it the first way, but I've ...
user avatar
7 votes
4 answers
620 views

Improvising with modes and over "advanced" chords

Say I'm playing along to a jam track in C major. From my understanding, this means that C Ionian, D Dorian, E Phrygian etc. would work. My question is: How do I bring out the flavor/characteristic of ...
Kasper Jordt's user avatar
7 votes
7 answers
65k views

Learning guitar without making noise

This might sound like a stupid question but I'd like to ask if and how it is possible to learn guitar without making noise at all. I'd like to prevent making noise other people in the same flat could ...
Frame91's user avatar
  • 173
7 votes
5 answers
5k views

Is there a way to keep my guitar/bass cable from becoming unplugged when I move?

My guitar/bass cable will sometimes accidentally unplug from my guitar/bass when I am playing at a practice or at a gig. It usually happens when I move around or step on my cable. Is there a way to ...
Dom's user avatar
  • 47.6k
7 votes
5 answers
12k views

Tips playing F barre chord

Any tips for a newbie in playing the F barre chord. I find it very hard to put my fingers in place. I've got a strat. I hear you can move it up and down the neck for other barre chords.
user avatar
7 votes
6 answers
1k views

In guitar, why some players "pulse" a chord? (press while strumming, relax, press it again)

Why some guitar players "pulse" a chord? (pressing down while strumming, relaxing for a split sec, press it again for next strum) Is it to mark the beat, relax the fingers, silence the strings, all ...
Chema's user avatar
  • 173
7 votes
7 answers
4k views

Normal chords are boring, I want more!

Playing for example, pop songs can be boring, max 6 chords are used. When I listen to pro players, they add more weird, dissonant chords while transiting from one of that 6 chords to another. Now, ...
Janiiik's user avatar
  • 187
7 votes
11 answers
5k views

Is it OK to play guitar with capo on 5th fret, since I have arthritis in thumb & finger joints?

I'm an early learner, 70 yrs old, have been 'practicing' for a couple of years on a steel string acoustic guitar, and I have arthritis in my thumb and finger joints. For instance, it's very hard to ...
PATRICK OTOOLE's user avatar
7 votes
5 answers
3k views

Is this an acceptable fingering of a G Chord?

I'm trying out the CAGED method, and whenever I use the G Form, either my pinky can't keep enough pressure on the High E string, or my ring finger lies so flat that it mutes the A string. By curling ...
user avatar
7 votes
4 answers
640 views

Do you count mental practice when counting total practice time for the day?

My guitar instructor insists that, as part of my training, I set a fixed minimum amount of time each day for practice and make sure that I practice at least that much, with a fixed upper limit of 4x45 ...
blueberryfields's user avatar
7 votes
6 answers
4k views

Whats are some ways of visualizing notes on guitar's fret-board if you come from piano background?

I come from piano background and it's been really difficult to visualize the notes I'm playing on guitar. On piano it's simple - they follow sequentially. So, my question is - what is the best way to ...
nuway's user avatar
  • 201
7 votes
3 answers
17k views

What are the benefits of practicing standing up (guitar)?

I can see how practicing standing up would be better for performing guitarists, but I am wondering if there are any other advantages to practicing standing up vs. sitting down for any guitarist?
manejar's user avatar
  • 1,023
7 votes
2 answers
2k views

Do I need to play chords exactly as the tablature says?

For example, a D chord: But sometimes, I think the 1 should be a 2, the 2 should be a 3, and the 3 should be a 4. This seems easier to play; can I play it in this way? Or do I need to play exactly ...
Ted Wong's user avatar
  • 1,457
7 votes
5 answers
1k views

Is it a bad idea to attach my strap just above the nut?

This question is mainly for my banjo but it seems to apply to my guitar as well. For me it is most comfortable to have the left end of the strap attached to just above the nut on the neck. Is this a ...
DQdlM's user avatar
  • 669
7 votes
5 answers
6k views

Is it possible to mute some of my strings?

I'm working on a part of a song where I need to strum the top two strings (B & E) together very fast. I'm wondering if there is some sort of a damping capo that I can put over the other four ...
user avatar
7 votes
3 answers
1k views

Guitar foot tapping goes haywire when I accent beats

I'm learning to tap my foot to the pulse but my foot does a jerk when I accent a beat while strumming. Is this okay or should I try to keep my foot as steady as possible and how can I do it?
Anant's user avatar
  • 173
7 votes
3 answers
1k views

Jazz Theory Prerequisites

What topics should I master on music theory before I move on to jazz guitar? Is it necessary to learn blues guitar? I have basic knowledge of music theory, like major and minor chords.
Nabla's user avatar
  • 1,231
7 votes
3 answers
8k views

Why tune the guitar other than standard?

I have a question. How does tuning come into play in guitar songs? See, I can find the tab of a song in the guitar by ear and I was taught that in tuning standard the fifth fret of the low e string is ...
J Roq's user avatar
  • 787
7 votes
2 answers
1k views

How important is it to touch only one string

When playing a C or a D on the second string, my finger often also touches the first string. I have the feeling that it's bad, but I am wondering why, because if I play a note on the second string, ...
user1482030's user avatar
7 votes
7 answers
18k views

Can someone please tell me why there are 5 different patterns to Penatonic scales

I mean if you can move them, why do you need more than one? All are movable up and down the fretboard? Right? So why does each need 5 patterns and how do you know which one to use? This has really ...
Nick Nichols's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
87k views

Standard guitar string gauge?

I was reading this article: http://www.epiphone.com/news-features/features/2013/care-and-maintenance-of-your-epiphone.aspx And partway down, it states: An intonation adjustment is usually only ...
tarun's user avatar
  • 2,259
7 votes
7 answers
18k views

Can guitar playing cause stiff fingers?

I've had what I thought was a rock climbing over-use injury on my left hand for a while now, where the fingers on my left hand feel stiff and hurt slightly when I curl them in and the first joints are ...
user avatar
7 votes
5 answers
357 views

Why is the guitar traditionally held by a strap, and not in the lap?

Ya know, like the late Jeff Healy used to play. Are there technical reasons for holding the guitar in front of you, and reaching up and around to fret the strings? Has anyone any experience with ...
todd's user avatar
  • 883
7 votes
4 answers
1k views

Is it common that a 7th chord or 9th chord played missing root note and 3rd note?

Is it common that a 7th chord or 9th chord played with missing root note and 3rd note? If not for 7th chords, is it the case for 9th chords?
Michaelzh's user avatar
  • 183
7 votes
3 answers
15k views

What does the ° symbol mean , as in F#°? [duplicate]

The internet search engine seems not to recognize it, so I cannot search for it there! I had assumed it was "augmented" but am now very unsure. Thanks
H. Stahl's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
4k views

Is there a name for the points on the body of electric guitars?

I was trying to describe a part of the guitar to a friend a I could not come up with the proper name for it. I was try to refer to the two points on the body of an electric guitar where typically part ...
Dom's user avatar
  • 47.6k
7 votes
5 answers
6k views

Intonation problem: My 12th fret harmonic is on my 13th fret

So I've been trying to fix my guitar intonation recently because my B string is awful. However, when guides say that the 12th fret should be the same as the harmonic on that fret, it gets a bit more ...
Lewis's user avatar
  • 71
7 votes
3 answers
4k views

What are G7/D and C/G chords?

What are C/G and G7/D chords? I have been unable to find out. They are used in Heart of Stone by the Stones.
user8676's user avatar
7 votes
3 answers
4k views

What are alternative "voicings" for Major/Minor/Dominant Chords if I can't play "Barre Chords"?

I would like some alternative Chord Voicings if I don't want to play the standard barre chords for major/minor/dominant voicings: Thanks!!
user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
2k views

Meaning of ₵ symbol on guitar sheet music

I have the following sheet music excerpt for Spanish guitar: What is the meaning of the ₵2 and C3 on the 2nd and 4th measures?
Renan Gemignani's user avatar
7 votes
6 answers
785 views

How can I get a fatter bass on the D chord?

I often notice when I'm playing finger-style, picking chords, that the bass of D and D minor feel underwhelming in comparison to surrounding chords (e.g. Am Dm Em). There's no deeper D on the fret ...
Anna's user avatar
  • 1,797
7 votes
3 answers
1k views

Singing what you're playing vs playing what you're singing

I’ve heard the advice :- play what you sing as a means of practicing playing what you hear in your head. I've realised that I tend to sing the stuff I play instead of playing what I sing. I already ...
karthik's user avatar
  • 71
7 votes
2 answers
1k views

Why do some guitar amps have control labels that are upside down when you are in front of the speaker?

Is this from the past times, when lot stages didn´t have PA? Or whyy
Sadloslav's user avatar
7 votes
3 answers
26k views

How do you effectively clean rust from guitar pick-ups?

The site recommended that I check both How do you care for you guitar? and Best method to clean guitar? before asking this question. But I couldn't find any information about this topic at all. I ...
John's user avatar
  • 1,964
7 votes
6 answers
2k views

Memorizing modes on guitar fretboard

I'm comfortable with all 5 basic box positions and 7 3-note-per-string patterns for diatonic scale. I can switch among these positions fairly well. Problem is, when I try to emphasize on a mode, it ...
Bitswazsky's user avatar
7 votes
5 answers
4k views

What advantages are there to learning on a guitar with no fret markings?

I recently picked up a classical guitar and am considering buy fret markings for it. But I before I do so I would like to know what advantages are there to learning on a guitar with no fret markings. ...
Nikos's user avatar
  • 235
7 votes
2 answers
4k views

Am/C guitar chord help

On this site http://jguitar.com/chordsearch?chordsearch=Am%2FC is said Am/C to be played like this: X O ------ ||||O| ||OO|| |O|||| |||||| but in another tutorial site I saw this X X O ------ ||...
Hello-World's user avatar
7 votes
3 answers
529 views

Does this guitar tuning have a name?

I've had a few suggestions as to an "official" name for this tuning, but what do you lot think? From high e to bass... e B F# C# G# D#
gingerbreadboy's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
2k views

Do you barre a chord directly on the fret itself or in between the frets? [duplicate]

I have seen guitarists barre directly on the fret and also in between in the frets. All diagrams of fret chords show to play in between frets. Which is correct? Or, does it matter? Thank you.
Tyla's user avatar
  • 71
7 votes
5 answers
3k views

Difficulty tuning with strobe tuner

I recently started using Peterson’s iStroboSoft strobe tuner app to tune my guitars, and I'm running into a couple of common problems, especially when tuning my Fender Standard Precision Bass. I’ll ...
Bradd Szonye's user avatar
  • 6,698
7 votes
2 answers
3k views

"Dull" sound when recording dry audio from an Ibanez S series, not caused by old strings?

I'm using my trusty Ibanez S5470 (wonderful guitar, if a little weak in sustain due to its scant weight) to record some dry audio inputs to use for re-amping later, directly into my Focusrite Saffire ...
Luke's user avatar
  • 741
7 votes
6 answers
26k views

What is the best way to remove a broken bridge pin?

I decided to give my guitar a well deserved clean, but when I came to remove the low E string, the bridge pin was a bit stuck so I resorted to using pliers, which turns out to have been a very bad ...
bcpettifer's user avatar
7 votes
4 answers
3k views

How important is it for a guitar player to know the notes which make up a chord?

If you play piano you immediately see what notes construct what chord. For example you see on your keyboard that C Major is constructed of C E G. It's much harder to visual that on guitar even if you ...
Shark4Ever's user avatar

1
11 12
13
14 15
67